Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The FIA European Rally Trophy (ERT) remains a leading development pathway to the FIA European Rally Championship and higher levels of rallying, following its 2023 restructure by the FIA Rally Department. Organisers use the ERT to help progress events into the ERC calendar, as with Rali Ceredigion and Rally Silesia in 2024.
The 2026 ERT season features up to 13 rounds on both asphalt and gravel, with a schedule designed to avoid event clashes—a change from 2023. National Sporting Authorities may nominate up to two events each for the ERT calendar. Competitors can enter as many rounds as they wish, but only their six best results count towards the overall classification, helping to control costs.
A notable update for 2026 is the inclusion of Rally5-Kit cars, which can be homologated locally with FIA Technical Department cooperation. This is aimed at enabling cost-effective competition using local parts and expertise. The series continues its coefficient system based on the number of starters in each car category—Rally2, Rally3, Rally4, Rally5, Rally5-Kit, and RGT—to ensure competitiveness across vehicle types.
The championship awards titles for overall drivers and co-drivers, plus a Junior ERT Trophy for drivers under 27 as of January 1. There are no restrictions on eligible car categories, allowing any driver to contend for the overall title. For example, 2023 ERT champion René Dohnal won driving a Peugeot 208 Rally4, and FIA Rally Star graduate Romet Jürgenson claimed the FIA Junior ERT title in 2023 before moving to the FIA Junior WRC in 2024.